Online I-9 Central Now Available in Spanish

On October 4, 2012, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) launched a Spanish-language version of I-9 Central, an online resource center designed to provide information and assistance related to the most frequently accessed form on USCIS.gov: Form I-9, Employee Eligibility Verification. This free, easy-to-use website provides employers and employees simple one-click access to resources, tips and guidance to properly complete Form I-9 and better understand the Form I-9 process.

"The release of the Spanish I-9 Central reflects our continued commitment to provide vital, accessible information to our multilingual customers,” said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. “Since its launch last year, I-9 Central has provided the public with a much needed resource to help them navigate the employment eligibility verification process.”

The launch of the Spanish I-9 Central is the most recent in a series of resource guides related to USCIS employment-related forms and processes. These resources include E-Verify Self Check, a service that allows workers and job seekers in the United States to check their own employment eligibility status online, and an updated “Handbook for Employers: Instructions for Completing Form I-9.". Both are also offered in Spanish.

I-9 Central includes sections about employer and employee rights and responsibilities, step-by-step instructions for completing the form, and information on acceptable documents for establishing identity and employment authorization. I-9 Central also includes a discussion of common mistakes to avoid when completing the form, guidance on how to correct errors, and answers to employers’ recent questions about the Form I-9 process.

By law, U.S. employers must verify the identity and employment authorization for every worker hired after Nov. 6, 1986, regardless of the employee’s immigration status. To comply with the law, employers must complete and retain Form I-9.

I-9 Central en Espanol

Immigration Benefits Available for Immigrants Affected by Hurricane Isaac

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds customers affected by Hurricane Isaac of certain U.S. immigration benefits that may be available to them.

USCIS understands that a natural disaster can affect an individual’s ability to maintain lawful immigration status. Eligible individuals may apply for temporary relief measures, including:

               A change or extension of nonimmigrant status for an individual currently in the United States, even when the request is filed after the authorized period of admission has expired;

               Extension or re-parole of individuals previously granted parole by USCIS;

               Advance parole, and expedited processing of advance parole applications;

               Expedited adjudication of requests for off-campus employment authorization applications for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship;

               Expedited processing of immigrant petitions for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and the spouses and children of lawful permanent residents (LPRs) whose priority dates are current;

               Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications; and

               Assistance to LPRs stranded overseas without immigration or travel documents, such as Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards). USCIS and the Department of State will coordinate on these matters when LPRs are stranded in places that do not have a local USCIS office.

Visitors traveling under the Visa Waiver Program may visit a USCIS local office for assistance. Individuals affected by the hurricane who are at a U.S. airport may contact the nearest U.S. Customs and Border Protection office for assistance.

For more information on USCIS humanitarian programs, visit www.uscis.gov or call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. Hearing-impaired persons can call 1-800-767-1833.

Current Form I-9 Will Remain Effective After August 31, 2012

Until further notice, employers should continue using the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, currently available on the USCIS forms page at www.uscis.gov/I-9.

This current version of the form continues to be effective even after the OMB control number expiration date of August 31, 2012 has passed. USCIS will provide updated information about the new version of the Form I-9 as it becomes available.

Employers must complete Form I-9 for all newly-hired employees to verify their identity and authorization to work in the United States.

Deferred Action Directive F.A.Q.s: Part VIII

What offenses qualify as a felony?

A felony is a federal, state, or local criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.


What offenses qualify as a “significant misdemeanor”?
A significant misdemeanor is a federal, state, or local criminal offense punishable by no more than one year of imprisonment or even no imprisonment that involves: violence, threats, or assault, including domestic violence; sexual abuse or exploitation; burglary, larceny, or fraud; driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; obstruction of justice or bribery; unlawful flight from arrest, prosecution, or the scene of an accident; unlawful possession or use of a firearm; drug distribution or trafficking; or unlawful possession of drugs.


How many non-significant misdemeanors constitute “multiple misdemeanors” making an individual ineligible for an exercise of prosecutorial discretion under this new process?

An individual who is not convicted of a significant misdemeanor but is convicted of three or more other misdemeanors not occurring on the same day and not arising out of the same act, omission, or scheme of misconduct is not eligible to be considered for deferred action under this new process.

Sponsoring an Employee for Permanent Resident Status: An Introduction

As an employer (or prospective employer), if you want to sponsor a foreign national to become a permanent resident based on a permanent job offer, you and the foreign national need to go through a multi-step process.

In most cases, the process begins when the employer obtains an approved Labor Certification Application (LCA) from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). After the LCA has been approved by the DOL, the employer continues the process by filing Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, on behalf of the foreign national with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

If prior DOL certification is not required, the sponsoring process will start when you file a Form I-140 with USCIS. Form I-140 is available on the USCIS at www.uscis.gov. Sometimes, as discussed below, the foreign national can combine the Form I-140 with a permanent resident application. For information on all of the filing requirements and fees for a labor certification request with DOL, please visit that agency’s website at www.dol.gov.

Resources Available to Foreign Nationals Affected by Civil Unrest: Part II

Sometimes natural catastrophes and other extreme situations can occur that are beyond your control. These events can affect your USCIS application, petition or immigration status. USCIS cannot anticipate these events, but will do the best to help you get the benefits for which you qualify.

When requested, the following options may be available to people affected by natural catastrophes and other extreme situations:

Extensions & Changes of Status
USCIS recognizes that when affected by a disaster you may, through no fault of your own, fall out of status. When applying for an extension or change in status due to a disaster, USCIS may consider your request if you show how it is directly connected to the disaster.

Fee Waiver
If you are unable to pay the fee for a USCIS service or benefit, you may request that your fee be waived for certain forms by filing a Request for Fee Waiver, Form I-912 (or a written request).

Employment Authorization
As an academic student, you may need to work off-campus if a disaster has affected your ability to support yourself. The disaster may occur in the United States and prevent you from working on-campus or the disaster may occur overseas and affect your economic support. If you can demonstrate that you are from an affected country or region and you have been recommended for such employment by the Designated School Official (DSO), you may be eligible to receive employment authorization when filing the I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

Document Replacement
If you have lost your USCIS-issued documents through no fault of your own, you may show your need for replacing the documents.

To replace a/n...	You must file a...
Green Card	Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Residence Card, or request interim evidence of permanent residence stamp (I-551 stamp) from a USCIS Field Office
Form I-94	Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Record
Employment Authorization Document	Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

Abandonment or Failure to Respond to a Request for Evidence
If you have not appeared for an interview or submitted evidence, you may show how the disrupting event affected your connection to USCIS and your ability to appear or submit documents as required.

Expedited Processing
If you need USCIS to consider your request for a service or benefit more quickly, you may make that request when filing or after you file.

USCIS Issues TPS Registration Reminder to Eligible Hondurans, Nicaraguans and Salvadorans

WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today reminded Hondurans, Nicaraguans and Salvadorans, who are eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), to file a re-registration application for TPS before the end of the re-registration period, (Dec. 1, 2008 for Hondurans and Nicaraguans, and Dec. 30, 2008 for Salvadorans).

The 18-month extension of TPS for nationals of Honduras and Nicaragua will remain in effect until July 5, 2010, and until Sept. 9, 2010 for nationals of El Salvador. Hondurans, Nicaraguans, and Salvadorans who have received TPS previously must re-register for the 18-month extension during the re-registration period. Failure to file a TPS re-registration application during the re-registration period without good cause will result in withdrawal of TPS benefits, including employment authorization and protection from removal from the U.S.

Additional Filing Tips:

• To apply for TPS re-registration you must submit both Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Both forms are available online. See "Related Links" on this page or call the USCIS forms line at 1-800-870-3676.
• You must file Form I-765 regardless of whether you wish to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). If you are not requesting an EAD, you do not need to submit a fee for Form I-765. Also, leave the boxes under the question, “I am applying for…” blank. The filing address is listed in the Federal Register notice for each country, and in the USCIS Questions and Answers for each country’s extension.
• Submit the appropriate versions of the forms (use Form I-821 dated Oct. 17, 2007 or later and Form I-765 dated May 27, 2008 or later). USCIS will reject applications submitted using earlier editions of the forms.
• Completely fill out the forms and mark all appropriate boxes. In Part 1, of Form I-821, re-registrants should mark the box for re-registration or renewal of temporary benefits.
• Submit the appropriate fee(s) with the applications. Make the check or money order payable to the Department of Homeland Security. To request a fee waiver, you must submit a properly documented request demonstrating your inability to pay. Guidance about fee waivers is online and can be accessed on this page under "Related Links."
• If your address changes after you file your application for re-registration, you must complete and submit a change of address form (AR-11) by mail or electronically. File the Form AR-11 electronically by following the directions online. Access the directions via "Related Links" on this page. You may also mail your Form AR-11 to this address:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Change of Address
P.O. Box 7134
London, KY 40742-7134

To facilitate processing your address change on your TPS application, you may call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) to request USCIS update your address on your application. However, you must still file a completed Form AR-11 with USCIS.

More information is available from the National Customer Service Center by calling 800-375-5283.